Bridgestone Corporation announced today that Bridgestone and Dorna Sports have signed a new three-year deal that will see the Japanese manufacturer continue as the Official Tyre Supplier to the MotoGP World Championship from 2012-2014.

The new contract means that Bridgestone will continue to provide tyres and technical support to every team and rider on the premier class grid as the championship enters the new era of increased engine capacity, up from 800cc to 1000cc.

“I am proud that we are able to demonstrate our ongoing commitment to MotoGP by extending our participation as Official Tyre Supplier to the premier class with a new three-year deal,” Mikio Masunaga, Bridgestone Motorsport vice president said.

“I am encouraged that we can continue what has been a very successful relationship with the premier class of motorcycle road racing over the past nine years. I believe our involvement in MotoGP will enable us to continually improve the safety and performance of our consumer tyres.”

Already the Official Tyre Supplier to the premier class since 2009, Bridgestone has received positive support from the riders, the FIM, Dorna, the Motorcycle Sports Manufacturers Association (MSMA) and the International Road Racing Teams Association (IRTA), all who have expressed a strong desire to continue the relationship.

“I am very pleased that we can continue to work closely with Bridgestone for another three years after this season, and I would like to thank them for their continued commitment to MotoGP,” Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta said.

“Bridgestone has a great track record in all forms of motorsport, in particular MotoGP, and has done a great job since they were appointed the championship’s first ever Official Tyre Supplier so we all know they are up to the task this season and over the following three years.

“Their ongoing commitment at this early point is important in allowing us all to plan for the future, especially for the teams as they are already underway with their development plans for next year and the new 1000cc era, and I believe it also demonstrates the value of MotoGP as a business platform.”

Since entering the championship’s top category, then 500cc, in 2002, it took just two years for the first win on Bridgestone.

In 2009 Bridgestone was named the championship’s first Official Tyre Supplier, after just seven seasons of competition.

As of the end of the 2010 season, four world championship Titles, 70 Grand Prix victories and 197 podiums have been scored in the premier class using Bridgestone tyres.